Respiratory Therapist

Summary

This position is located in the Respiratory Therapy Department of the Phoenix Indian Medical Center. Respiratory Therapist report direct to the Supervisory Respiratory Therapist who is under the direction of the Chief of Anesthesia.

Duties

Patient Assessment Complete the assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other means as appropriate and share the
information with healthcare team members. Review pulmonary function tests and pulse oximetry. Review lung volumes and diffusion studies

Review and interpret arterial blood gases, electrolytes, complete blood cell count, and related laboratory tests that relate to the care of the patient. Inspect the chest and extremities to detect deformation, cyanosis, edema, clubbing, and other anomalies.

Measure vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate). Evaluate patient breathing effort, ventilatory pattern, and use of accessory muscles. Measure and document oxygen saturation with oximetry under all appropriate conditions (with or without oxygen at rest and during sleep, ambulation, and exercise).

Establish and maintain manual and/or mechanical ventilation for critical newborn, pediatric, and adult patients using a variety of pressure and volume ventilators/devices.

Clerical Duties: Maintain patient scheduling activities. Scan and process all paper documents and diagnostic data in the EHR within 24 hours of provider review and return to department.

Document test results, patient status, and administration of therapy in the EHR. Review and report test results to the provider. Maintain departmental records for Respiratory Therapy.

Education: Competency evaluations for the respiratory personnel /nursing personnel regarding Respiratory Therapy 2. equipment and procedures. Provide educational in-service to surrounding IHS service units. Obtain 20 CMEs for state licensure every 2 years. Maintain NBRC requirements.

Quality Control: Responsible for quality control and assures accuracy of test results. Troubleshoot malfunctions and take the appropriate steps to correct problems occurring with RT equipment.

Perform daily calibrations on the blood gas analyzer .Perform linearity/calibration verification on the blood gas analyzer bi-annually and participate in required proficiency testing.

Participate in the proficiency program for blood gas analyzers. Perform daily, weekly, and monthly quality controls including biological quality controls according to manufacturer's guidelines and hospital policy and procedure. Ensure preventative maintenance is performed on all equipment.

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